What a year it’s been. From the excitement of seeing some of our favorite festivals return after 2 years to the realization that wow, everything costs so much, we wanted to give our readers something they could do that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg (in fact, most of these should be free and if not free, incredibly cheap). Without further ado, here’s 9 fantastic and free things to do in Denver all-year round.
1. Take a tour of the iconic Colorado State Capitol
Take a tour of the capitol if you’d like, as it’s free, informative, and a great way to get in your steps. Tours take about an hour and include a trip to the dome observation area, which is a 99 step climb above the 3rd floor and is accessible by stairs only, but worth it. Tours can be booked at their website.
2. Hike a 14-er
With over 58 hikes that over 14,000 feet above sea level or higher, there’s plenty of these hikes to take on. A 14-er, a slang used in Denver that references the feet, can be found only a 30 minute drive from the city in nearby places like Red Rocks Park, Deer Creek Canyon Park, or Mt. Bierstadt which is a bit further at an hour and 15 but is one of the best beginner friendly hikes.
3. Walk across the city on Cherry Creek Trail
This 40 mile trail spans across one end of the city to another, starting at one end in Downtown to Franktown in Douglas County. Pass through Confluence park and through Cherry Creek Reservoir by foot or bike and take in the sights and sounds of the city and its surrounding nature.
4. Visit the museum at the Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Although one of the main events is to watch a concert at this unique, acoustic natural theater, you can also take a free tour of their museum to learn all about the history. There’s also a really cool Performers Hall of Fame to see every iconic group that’s performed at this famed venue. What’s better, there’s a ton of hiking trails nearby, as the venue is situated in the Eastern Slope of the Rockies, perfect for exploring.
5. Have a picnic in the park
Gather your favorite beers to-go from your favorite breweries, some sandwich ingredients, and then head to City Park for a waterfront picnic. Or head to the grassy, quiet Cheesman Park with views of the Pavillion built in 1910.
6. Take advantage of a free day at the Denver Art Museum
While these days are a more likely to be packed, this is still a great way to spend an afternoon. Here’s a list of the rest of the free days coming up this month. They recommend that you make ticket reservations in advance.
- Saturday, September 10
- Tuesday, September 13
- Tuesday, October 11
- Saturday, November 5
- Tuesday, November 8
- Tuesday, December 13
7. Book a free brewery tour
In the Ballpark District, Great Divide Brewery and Taproom offers free tours of their brewing process to the first 10 guests on a first-come, first-serve basis at 3pm, every day. You have to RSVP for a slot, which you can do at their website.